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Sinn Fein’s most senior members were locked in private talks in Dublin for discussions which could edge the party closer to an historic acceptance of policing in Northern Ireland.

Party president Gerry Adams is briefing members of its national executive on negotiations over the Christmas period with the British Government, which he now believes have paved the way for a special Sinn Fein party Conference to vote on supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland for the first time.

The ard chomlaire meeting on Friday boasts 56 members, with 46 who are entitled to vote on his recommendation to call a party conference on the issue.

If the ard chomlaire backs Mr Adams, and subject to a positive response from the British and Irish governments and the DUP, an Ard Feis will take place in the New Year.

Before the meeting at a hotel at Dublin Airport, Sinn Fein MEP Mary Lou McDonald told reporters she expected a full and robust debate.

“The issue of policing and delivering accountable civic policing has been a huge issue throughout the peace process,” she said.

“It’s an issue we have worked very hard on and we have been very clear in terms of our demands in the type of policing service the people are entitled to.

“I expect to have a very full and robust debate, and I’m not going to second guess the outcome of that meeting.”

Ms McDonald said the policing issue was a sensitive one for the nationalist and republican community because of what she described as the negative experience of policing historically in the six counties.

“This is a huge issue, I wouldn’t underestimate the sensitivity and emotion around this issue,” she continued. “We have always said the job was to get to a point where we can talk in real terms about a new beginning. We are very clear that we are for policing, for accountable civic democratically controlled policing. The question is whether or not we have arrived at that point.”